Utilities

Understanding the threat

Definition “A set of services provided by organisations and consumed by the public: electricity, natural gas, nuclear power, water, and sewage.”

What we can do for you

Terrorist attacks on Utility infrastructure are designed to create a significant disruptive impact on large areas of society giving rise to media coverage.

While there are certainly risks to life, finance and ecological environment it is unlikely that these would be the main objectives of an attack on Utility infrastructure.

As with other non-public areas, providing protection for these sites is generally enforced by providing a restriction of access to hostile intrusion at the perimeter of the site thereby denying access to the vulnerable parts of the site. However there are a large number of other considerations to be made to ensure that a security line is suitable and commensurate with the threat.

Avon Barrier understand the special considerations needed to protect these sites and the equipment operators and are well placed to provide assistance.

Identifying the threat

As most Utility sites are perimeter restricted, the identification of a threat will generally be around the vulnerability of the fence line and access points. The solutions will always begin with the identification of the threats, assessing the vulnerabilities and then providing suitable mitigation.

Examples of threats:

Hostile vehicle attack (with or without Improvised Explosive Device)

Mass attack gunmen

Small explosive device

Priorities for protection would include:

People

Critical infrastructure

Operational processes

Solutions

Any solution strategy should start with a reduction in the threat by simple changes including infrastructure re-modelling to reduce the possibility of high approach speeds and protection of “weaker” fence line areas adjacent to entry point areas

The use of automated physical blocking systems should be considered to further reduce the risk of a successful incursion attack however the creation of protective control areas for blocking equipment is equally as important as the equipment itself.

As with most vulnerabilities, it is unlikely that physical protective measures will completely remove the risk of attack however it is proven that higher profile protection measures will reduce the likelihood and will certainly mitigate the consequence of any attack.

Our consultative approach to business enables us to provide advice on what can be done and we can help consider not only the layout design and costs but also the operational and logistical impact of the introduction of protection measures (a key element in ensuring the correct solution).

We are committed to working with you as a client more so than a customer.

Dependent on client requirements we can design unique solutions for our customers, to meet their specific needs. Our business model enables us to focus on our three core service offerings: concept, delivery & support.

Our installation teams are available to provide a comprehensive service to install, connect , test and commission your vehicle control system. If you would prefer to carry out the civil foundation work yourselves then we can oversee and advise contractors to ensure that the ground works are completed to specification.

IWA 14-1, PAS 68 & ASTM 2656 are the industry testing standards that set out the criteria for physically impact testing our Vehicle Security Barriers and provide our clients with the assurance that they will provide the highest levels of physical protection against a potentially hostile vehicular attack.

Our approach (Support)

We provide a high level of technical support expertise for our international clients both pre-sales and after sales.

With telephone and online based support, on-site technical assistance and a range of aftersales preventative maintenance packages that are tailored to suit your requirement. Bespoke training days are also available to our clients for more information, please contact us.

Our Expertise

We have considerable experience in providing high security vehicle control solutions for the utilities sector and have installed hundreds of systems throughout the world. We can assist you in the design and specification of your physical security at any stage including from concept or upgrading your current facility's security. Please contact us for assistance.

Banks, Financial Institutes and Data Centres are the backbones of world economies and if disrupted or compromised can have devastating effects, leading to instability and vulnerability of governments and institutions.

Speak to an expert

If you would like to discuss a specific utility project or would simply like some further advice about our high security solutions from one of our experts...